The legal regime of airspace is based on the recognition that all States have full and exclusive sovereignty in the airspace located above their territory, whereas the legal regime of outer space is based on the principle that outer space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means.
Si bien el espacio aéreo no está regulado en cuanto a la extensión sobre la superficie terrestre de un Estado, es considerado como parte del territorio y, donde se ejerce soberanía y jurisdicción, es donde los Estados pueden exigir su respeto.